Beatrix knelt over Richard's body, slumped over him. He was dead. After all these years, he was dead. Mina had killed him with her own hands. She had cried out as he died, screamed. How long had it been since she had screamed? Twelve years. The day that she found out that he had left her for Mina.

He was the only man who could make her scream in pain. And now he was dead. After more than a decade of uncertainty, he was gone. The hurtful mysteries, unspoken secrets that had surrounded them would never be spoken, would never be resolved.

'Bea, wake up,' Mina's voice was harsh, but strong, a little of her throaty huskiness back, like when they were young. 'Snap out of it, woman!'

Beatrix opened her eyes, Mina's face was not far from hers. She could see the blonde roots in her hair. Maybe she wouldn't dye it this time. The princess's face wore a smile, without triumph or humour, but peace.

'Come on, Bea, don't dwell on the past, the future's running away.'

The general sat up, looking around. Where was Steiner? Dammit, she thought, he must think... She didn't know what he was thinking, but from her reaction to Richard's death, it probably wasn't good.

'Where...'

'That way,' Mina pointed, hauling her to her feet. Beatrix nodded her thanks, and bolted into the hallway, seeing Steiner turning a corner. She sprinted as fast as she could, her dress tripping her up so that she stumbled. Cursing, she ripped the bottom two feet of the ridiculous dress, and rounded the corner, calling out.

'Steiner!'

He stopped, but didn't turn around. She snickered,

'Just like you, run away when there's a promise to be fulfilled.'

Steiner turned around, raising an eyebrow. She smiled, walking up to him, and taking his hands. She pulled off his gloves, then his helmet, then his chain mail hood, and finally she pulled the tie from his hair, letting it fall around his shoulders. She brushed his hair out of his eyes with two long fingers.

'You're trembling, Beatrix,' he whispered. He was right, but she just smiled.

'I love you, Steiner.'

'Beatrix...' he started, but she pressed a finger to his lips.

'No more words, Steiner, you owe me a kiss.'

He smiled, wrapping a hand through her hair and smothering her lips with a kiss. She closed her eyes, letting the feeling engulf her as he pulled her close. This was so right. She had never felt like this. Never was it this perfect.

The kiss broke as a giggle echoed through the hallway. The couple looked up to see Mina and Garnet, leaning against the wall, grinning.

'Does this mean you forgive me, Steiner?' Garnet asked with a sneaky smile. The captain laughed, then pulled Beatrix's lips back to his.

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'Come on, come on!' Eiko squealed on the deck of the Hilda Garde as they glided into Alexandria. 'Mother, father, we're going to be late!'

'Don't worry, Eiko,' Cid laughed, climbing out onto the deck with her. 'Garnet won't let the show start without us.'

'Oh, please, father, let's hurry,' Eiko climbed onto the railing. But Cid caught her by the waist, planting her feet firmly on the deck.

'Don't be silly, my dear, you could get hurt, we'll be there in plenty of time.'

Hilda glided out with them, laughing,

'You two, you could make a family portrait. Maybe young Eiko can keep you in line, dear.'

Cid seized her by the waist, hugging her, and picking up Eiko with his other arm.

'Then you belong in this picture,' he smiled, as the ship touched down. Eiko leapt down, rushing off the ship.

'Come on, we'll be late!'

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'Vivi, you're warping my mind here,' Puck grumbled, 'you have kids?'

'Y.. Yes,' Vivi said, straightening his hat. Puck's nose twitched, and he shook his head, muttering something under his breath.

'But you're only seven! Who could be the mother?'

'But we're not born,' Vivi said, 'we're made, they don't need a mother.' They walked along the rooftops toward Garnet's royal box, Vivi couldn't wait to see Dagger again, it had been so long, and with everything that had happened.

'But there's no mist.'

'I'm not made of mist, only the other black mages were.'

'I give up,' Puck shook his head again, 'I'm going to find Freija and Fratley. Bye!' Before Vivi could say anything, the prince had scuttled away through the crowd. Vivi straightened his hat again. He always wanted to say more to Puck, but he never seemed to get the chance.

'Whoa!' the little mage cried as he tripped over his shoes and fell to the ground.

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Freija jumped to the next rooftop, holding her hat to keep it in place. She didn't have a ticket to the show, but she was sure that Garnet wouldn't mind one gatecrasher.

Or two, she thought as she saw Fratley in the distance, bounding across the rooftops as she was. They had agreed to meet here today. He had been off somewhere in the north, battling monsters for Burmecia. She had almost gone with him, afraid to ever let him out of her sight.

But she couldn't hold on forever.

No matter how much she wanted to.

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'I'm looking forward to seeing everyone again,' Garnet stepped out onto the royals box for the show. Beatrix smiled, then looked over at Steiner, who smiled back, before everyone looked up to see the Prima Vista glide into the square. The usual fanfare started up, and the audience crowed with delight.

Garnet was silent.

This had to be painful for her, Beatrix could only imagine. Zidane had been there last year. This year he would not be. He would never be again. The general had been lucky, there had been obstacles, but she had her love. Garnet would never have hers.

'Queen Garnet, Lady Beatrix, Lord Steiner,' Baku's booming voice filled the square, and Beatrix smirked, thinking of how Steiner had always been yelling at him. 'Tantalus proudly presents "I want to be your canary"!'

The square was filled with cheers, more music played. Marcus had chosen a rather... unusual costume this year. Unlike most people, Beatrix's single eye could focus brilliantly, enough to see every detail.

It wasn't until halfway through that she noticed the tiniest tip of a monkey tail just below the hem of the long robe. She let out a barking laugh accidentally, and Garnet glared at her. The general hushed herself quickly, restraining a grin. Steiner gave her a questioning look, but she just shook her head. Obviously the people on stage had heard, because the cloaked figure looked at her. His hair was concealed so no one else recognised his shadowy face, but Zidane winked at Beatrix, and she could no longer restrain her grin.

So he was alive. That sneaky monkey.

At the end of the play, she could see it coming.

He looked up at the queen, and threw off his cloak.

'My darling Dagger, come back to me!'

Garnet's look of shock was superb. Beatrix laughed and Steiner looked at her. She nodded, then they opened the doors for the queen.

Garnet looked shocked that they would let her, but Beatrix bowed for her. She wouldn't dare keep the child from the man she loved, she thought, smiling at Steiner, who smiled back. She wouldn't dream of it.

The queen bolted out the doors, and Beatrix ran to the balcony, watching as she pushed her way through the crowds, and flung herself into Zidane's arms.

The square exploded with cheering, and Beatrix applauded and laughed more than any of them.

She felt a hand on her hip, and looked to see Steiner offering her the Save the Queen. She smiled with absolute happiness as they held the sword together, turning the blade toward the sunlight.